Tag: Salvation

Devotionals

Do You Know God?

Loring Schultz

Read: John 1:1-5,John 1:14 NIV – The Word Became Flesh – In the – Bible Gateway

“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” John 1:18 NIV

Photo by Josh Eckstein on Unsplash

Do you know God? Not about God, but do you know Him? Do you know Jesus, again not about Jesus, but do you know Him? The apostle John begins his gospel by explaining that the ‘Word’ in verse one always existed. ‘In the beginning was the Word.’ The ‘Word’ was with God in the beginning and the ‘Word’ was God. So, what does that tell us? The ‘Word’ is God.

John goes on to explain the ‘Word’s’ incarnation in verse fourteen. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Jn.1:14 niv) The ‘Word’ (Jesus) lived among us. We saw the glory of the Son (Jesus) who came from the Father. John later writes, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” (Jn.1:18 niv) The truth is, if you know Jesus, you know God. He has made Him known. Jesus is God the Son.

This is vital for Christians to understand. Our salvation depends on a perfect sacrifice being made to pay for our sins and reconcile us back to God. Jesus was not a prophet, a teacher, or an angel sent from God to show us the way; He is the way. He is God the Son. Early Christians in the New Testament were known as people of ‘The Way.’ There are several religious in the world who claim to know Jesus and follow His ways and teachings, even calling themselves Christians, but do not believe Jesus is God the Son. They are sincerely wrong! If Jesus were not God the Son, His death would be meaningless and we would still be in our sins. Know for certain who Jesus is. Your salvation depends on it!

Devotionals

Our Greatest Need

Loring Schultz

“O let me never lose sight of my need of a saviour, or forget that apart from him I am nothing, and can do nothing.” (1)

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

What is your greatest need? Have you ever thought about it? This question is often asked in light of the current moment in time. We do live in the present. Have you ever considered there is one need that is supersedes all other needs in our lives? This need, when met, will assist us with dealing with all other needs because it is our greatest need, our need of a savior. Our greatest need in this life is to make sure our greatest after this life is met. Along with the fulfillment of that need comes help from above in our everyday walk in this life.

The Puritan writer in the ‘Valley of Vision’ collection of Puritan devotions writes, “O let me never lose sight of my need of a saviour, or forget that apart from him I am nothing, and can do nothing.” (1) We can get so tangled in our present needs we lose sight of the bigger picture. What is important and what should be our primary priorities are overshadowed by current troubles. Yes, our pressing needs are a concern and need to be dealt with and the provider of our greatest need is there to help us through them.

Our greatest need must be met first. All of us are alienated from God due to our sinful nature and must be reconciled to Him. That reconciliation was made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins. “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Ro.5:10 niv) When we accept Christ as savior our greatest need in this life and more importantly in eternity has been met. So, have you taken care of your greatest need? Once you are assured of that, the rest of this life with all its needs will be met by the one who solved your greatest need, your need of a savior.

(1) Arthur Bennett Ed. The Valley of Vision. East Peoria: Versa Press, 2023. Pg. 32

Devotionals

Be Humble, Pray, and Seek the Lord  

Loring Schultz

Read: 2 Chronicles 7:12-16 NLT – Then one night the LORD appeared to – Bible Gateway

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

Photo by Nuno Silva on Unsplash

A few days ago Donald Trump, the president of the United States, read a portion of Scripture as part of a marathon reading of the Bible in an America 250-themed event. The United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary of independence on July 4th of this year. The passage he read from in 2 Chronicles was appropriate as the Lord promises to bless those who call on Him and He will restore their land. America sure needs it. The news media did not see it that way but criticized the reading as misrepresenting the Bible and not applicable to our time. Granted it was a different time and I will not make this a political piece (that is for our Saturday’s Christian Perspective each week) but this passage does apply. It applies as an example for the nation and for every person in the world today. The Bible is God’s living and breathing Word and it applies to everyone every day.

Christians can claim the words ‘Then if my people who are called by my name’ as applying to them, which I am one. When one accepts Christ as savior they have been drawn by the Holy Spirit unto salvation. We are called ‘Christians’ after Jesus Christ’s name and the Holy Spirit resides in every Chrisitan upon salvation. The Lord says when we humble ourselves, pray, and seek His face that He will hear us.

The Lord also demands that we turn from our wicked ways. Turning to God in prayer seeking Him with a humble attitude while still sinning against Him brings into question, how serious are we? Do we care about restoration or do we want to keep a couple of sins in our back pocket. The Lord God wants one-hundred percent commitment in our humility, prayer, seeking Him, and turning away from our sin. He then promises to forgive us and restore us. Yes, this passage applies today for everyone. Praise God that it does!

Devotionals

Our Guaranteed Inheritance               

Loring Schultz

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV

Engraved pocket watch, brass key, old letters, framed sepia photo, and vintage books on wooden table
Vintage keepsakes including an engraved pocket watch and old letters on a wooden table

It is a shame that in our world an inheritance is not guaranteed. The family fortune may not be handed down to you. A precious heirloom may be given to someone else. Your right as a child to inherent is not always guaranteed in this life. But as a child of God bought by the blood of Jesus Christ you are guaranteed an inheritance.

At the moment we receive Christ as our savior the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. Not only is the Holy Spirit dwelling in us to guide us through this life, but He is the assurance of our salvation and eternal inheritance. The apostle Paul says we ‘were marked in Him with a seal.’ It is a seal of authenticity, authority, security, and ownership. We belong to Christ. Jesus purchased us and has given us His Holy Spirit as a pledge (deposit) guaranteeing our future inheritance.

There are not many guarantees in life that are 100% guaranteed, such as a product you may have purchased. The way you have treated or mistreated the item will determine if the guarantee is honored. Our salvation is guaranteed. There is nothing we can do to lose our salvation and our eternal inheritance. It does not depend on us as it did not depend on us when we trusted in Christ. It was the work of the Holy Spirit who led us and we are now sealed guaranteeing of our inheritance. Rejoice in that today!

Devotionals

Obey me, and I will be your God

Loring Schultz

“This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’” Jeremiah 7:23 NLT

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Do you believe in God? If your answer is yes, do you want Him to be your God? You may be a bit confused at this point, but just think it through. Just because you say you believe in God is He really your God or just one of many. Is He in competition with your career, your spouse, your vacation home, automobile, boat, or your favorite sports team? Does He hold first place on every shelf in your life, and do you obey Him wholeheartedly in everything you do? If not, then He is your God in name only.

The Lord speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the nation of Israel says, “…. Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!” (Jer.7:23 nlt) This is what the Lord God wanted Israel to do when He led them out of Egypt. He didn’t want their offerings or their sacrifices, he only wanted their obedience. They believed in God, but also had other gods from the desires of their hearts to put alongside the God of heaven. Over time these idols, other gods, began to push the true God out of their lives. The Lord God says of them, “This is the nation whose people will not obey the LORD their God and who refuse to be taught. Truth has vanished from among them; it is no longer heard on their lips.” (Jer.7:28 nlt)

God is not to be the top rung on the ladder of our gods. He is the whole latter from top to bottom and our access to eternal life through Jesus Christ His Son. There is no other way of salvation and there are no other gods able to bring us satisfaction and joy in this life than the true God of heaven. Believe God when He says, ‘Obey me, and I will be your God’ and know for sure that He is.

A Christian Perspective

God of Eternal Hope      

Loring Schultz

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NLT

Photo by Tori Nefores on Unsplash

We have just come out of the Easter weekend holiday. I heard messages last weekend of hope, peace, light and other necessary needs for our present world made possible through Jesus Christ rising from the dead. His resurrection gives us all hope for the day in which we live was expounded in their sermons. These words came from some of the world’s renowned and most respected Christian leaders. But there are serious flaws in their messages. It was not what was said, but what was not said.

I will not take away anything from those who pray for peace in this world, we need more spiritual leaders to be part of this. Their Easter message of hope and peace is available to all because of Christ’s resurrection but only through the saving grace of God as one accepts Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection for their sins does it apply. It is a personal experience. The main message of Christ’s resurrection has been replaced by a general one-size-fits-all secular version of hope and peace for this world neglecting the true reason why Christ came; to lay down His life for sinners. Jesus Christ came to save us all who are dead in our sins and believe on Him for salvation saving us from eternal punishment of hell’s fire.

It is true that those who accept Christ as savior from their sin have received joy, peace, and the light of Christ in this dark world that shines for all to see. That alone brings some peace to the world but realize it is a changed person who is now alive and has the Holy Spirit within them because of Christ’s resurrection. The hope of the resurrection we celebrate is future, an eternal hope. Christians who truly know the Lord as savior have the assurance (hope) of being resurrected on the last day and assured of eternal life. That is the true message of Easter (Resurrection Sunday) from the true God of eternal hope.

Uncategorized

Geocaching          

Loring Schultz

Read: Jeremiah 29:10-14 NLT – This is what the LORD says: “You will – Bible Gateway

“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:13 NLT

Photo by Du01b0u01a1ng Nhu00e2n on Pexels.com

A few of my family members are into the outdoor recreational activity of ‘geocaching.’ I have not gotten the bug yet. In reality it is an outdoor treasure hunt game, not that there are valuable treasures to be found, but the value is in the hunt. Developed twenty-five years ago, hunters search for items using their GPS devises hidden in the most remote places. These items called ‘geocaches’ are containers with a logbook to sign proving you found it along with little trinkets of some kind to share, you then place in your little surprise. At last reporting in 2023, geocaching is taking place in 191 countries around the world with over 3 million active caches. That’s a lot of trinkets.

This may indeed be more of than game. Perhaps, most games are. In geocaching the primary focus is the search and the reward of finding the cache. This reveals a deep truth about human nature. Deep down all of us are searching for something whether we realize it or not. Games such as geocaching and other activities quench that desire for the moment, but there is always that need to go back. Nothing totally fulfills that empty desire. We need to be constantly engaged in filling that void in our lives through what we find enjoyable and it is the search that keeps us going.

The prophet Jeremiah wrote the Lord’s words to the Jewish exiles in Babylon who were now searching for meaning in their lives. The Lord God said to them, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” (Jer.29:13 nlt) The Lord promised them a future, He would restore them once again and told them to look for Him. God will hear their prayers and they will find Him right where they are.

If you haven’t accepted Christ as your savior and are still searching, it’s time to end the search. Jesus will meet where you are. Place your trust in Him by finding the cache with the only logbook that matters. (the Lamb’s Book of Life-Rev.21:27) You will receive a true treasure of total fulfillment in Christ’s salvation and eternal life.

A Christian Perspective

Which Cross Are You On?

Loring Schultz

Read: Luke 23:33-43 NLT – When they came to a place called The – Bible Gateway

“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.’ And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” Luke 23:42-43 NLT

FreeBibleimages.org

On a spring morning outside Jerusalem three men are sentenced to death by crucifixion by the authority of the Roman government. Crucifixion was the most barbaric and tortuous form of execution known to man. The horrors of the pain involved is accompanied by shame and humiliation all in public view. Of the three crucified that morning, two were clearly guilty of crimes deserving of death. But the man in the middle, Jesus, clearly was not. Although Jesus was not deserving of death, as confirmed by Pontius Pilate, His being on Calvary’s Hill that day with the two criminals is a picture of God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s grace, and a picture of all of us.

We may not want to admit it, but the two criminals are a picture of each and every one of us. All of us are deserving of death due to our sin. Born with a sin nature, we are sinful creatures living in a fallen world and will die physically as a result. The Bible is clear, “And just as each person is destined to die once.” (Heb. 9:27a) We deserve to die physically due to our sin. The two criminals on the cross deserved to die physically for their sins and specifically on that day for actions committed against humanity for which they are guilty.

Another picture we see in the three crosses, pertaining to the two criminals, is a picture of the world in their acceptance or rejection of Christ. The two criminals each had a choice to make about Jesus. One wanted nothing but to escape from his present condition, the other acknowledging his sin, realizing his spiritual condition, called out to Jesus in his time of real need asking to be with Him in paradise. It is a true picture of the world today.

God’s love is on full display as He sent His Son to die undeservedly for those who deserve to die. The picture of His mercy and grace is evident by Jesus’s words to the one criminal, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The choice is yours and mine. Which cross next to Jesus are you on?

Devotionals

Access to God

Loring Schultz

Read: Matthew 27:33-54 ESV – And when they came to a place called – Bible Gateway

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” Matthew 27:50-51 ESV

FreeBibleimages.org

For the religious Jews of Jesus’s day the tearing of the curtain (veil) in the temple should have been a revelation of who Jesus is and His purpose in dying on the cross. Scripture says the curtain was torn at the moment Jesus died, yielding up His spirit. It was torn from top to bottom indicating no human could have done it, it was clearly an act of God. The curtain that was torn was the inner curtain that separated the holy place from the most holy place in the Temple. It separated God who is Holy from sinful man and it contained the Ark of the Covenant and the law of God.

Entrance into the most Holy place, the Holy of Holies, was only once a year on the Day of Atonement. This was the most solemn holy day of all the feasts and festivals on the Jewish calendar. The High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies after offering a bull sacrifice for his own sins. He would then enter and sprinkle some of the blood on the Ark of the Covenant to atone for the sins of the people. Forgiveness and covering of sin was only through a blood sacrifice and repeated every year on the Day of Atonement.

The events that took place on the first Good Friday are many. They started in the early morning hours past midnight with the unjust trials of Jesus, and after being condemned to die, mocked, beaten, he was finally nailed to a cross later in the morning. Darkness covered the earth from twelve noon until three in the afternoon, the time Jesus died. At that moment, the last event, access to God was made possible to all through Jesus’s sacrifice and shedding of His blood. The curtain was torn in two, no more need for a yearly animal sacrifice to cover sin. A permanent sacrifice for sin was provided. “For the death he died he died to sin, once for all.” (Ro.6:10 esv) We have access to God the Father through the blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Have you accepted the sacrifice of Jesus in not just covering your sins but in taking them away completely? Access to God, Salvation, and eternal life is only possible through the blood of Jesus Christ as we repent, confess our sins, and accept Him as our Savoir. This Good Friday make sure you have ‘Access to God.’

Devotionals

Our Time is Now           

Loring Schultz

“If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 NLT

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Have you ever imagined yourself living in another time and place? Perhaps you fantasized of living during the Renaissance Era in Europe, the Colonial Days of the 17th and 18th centuries or the so-called Fabulous 50’s in America. Whatever your dreams or fantasies, rest assured that you are where you are today by Divine design. It is not by chance. God has placed each of us in the space of time and location by His choosing.

The story of “Esther” in the Old Testament is an excellent example of God’s Divine providence. Esther was in a position, by highly usual circumstances, I might add, to keep her people, the Jews, from annihilation. (Esther 3:12-13) She was in the right place at the right time because the Lord had placed her there. We also are in the right place and time by God’s Divine Providence.

We may not be in such a dilemma as Esther, but it is a matter of eternal life and death. God places each of us to carry out His purposes by being obedient and faithful where he has placed us. You may ask yourself, “Why I am here, at this place, during this time?” You are here to carry out God’s purposes in telling others the Good News of His Son, Jesus Christ right where he has placed you. It is a matter of life and death and our time is now.  

“I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.” (1Cor.2:3-5 nlt)